A lot of people searching for “TOPIK practice test” assume there’s a single exam to prepare for. There isn’t. TOPIK is split into two separate test types that you register for and sit separately: TOPIK I, which covers Levels 1–2 (beginner), and TOPIK II, which covers Levels 3–6 (intermediate through advanced). You don’t have to pass TOPIK I before taking TOPIK II — plenty of candidates with some existing Korean background go straight for TOPIK II because that’s the level most universities and employers actually ask for.
Both are run by NIIED and use the same registration portal, but the content, timing, and question types are different enough that studying for the wrong one wastes time. If your target is a university admission requirement or a Level 3+ visa/employment threshold, you want TOPIK II. If you’re just starting out or need proof of basic conversational ability, TOPIK I is the right target Start a free French Proficiency practice test.
TOPIK I (Levels 1–2) | TOPIK II (Levels 3–6) | |
|---|---|---|
Sections | Listening, Reading | Listening, Reading, Writing |
Total questions | 70 (all multiple-choice) | 104 (100 multiple-choice + 4 writing) |
Listening | 30 questions, 40 minutes | 50 questions, 60 minutes |
Reading | 40 questions, 60 minutes | 50 questions, 70 minutes |
Writing | — | 4 questions (short-answer and essay), 50 minutes |
Total test time | 100 minutes | 180 minutes (with a break between sessions) |
Total score | 200 points | 300 points |
Passing bands | Level 1: 80–139 · Level 2: 140–200 | Level 3: 120–149 · Level 4: 150–189 · Level 5: 190–229 · Level 6: 230–300 |
TOPIK is offered in both paper-based (PBT) and internet-based (IBT) formats. PBT remains the more widely available option, especially outside Korea, while IBT is a newer delivery method NIIED has been expanding — IBT sessions run slightly shorter than PBT because there’s no printed-material handling time.
TOPIK II’s writing section is the biggest single reason for retakes. It’s only 4 questions, but two of them are full essays — one shorter organizational piece and one longer argumentative essay — graded on content, structure, grammar accuracy, and appropriate register (formal vs. conversational Korean). Candidates who’ve focused entirely on vocabulary and grammar drills and treated writing as an afterthought routinely find they run out of time or can’t structure an essay under pressure, even when their reading and listening scores are strong.
Listening pace is the other common blind spot. Both TOPIK I and TOPIK II listening sections play audio once, at natural conversational speed, with no option to replay. Candidates who’ve studied Korean mostly through textbooks and apps — where audio is often slowed down or repeatable — are frequently caught off guard by how fast speed dialogue moves, especially in TOPIK II’s longer passages involving news excerpts, lectures, or multi-speaker conversations.
Reading passages in TOPIK II skew toward formal, written registers — newspaper editorials, public notices, academic excerpts — that differ noticeably from the spoken Korean most self-taught learners are used to. Vocabulary that’s rare in conversation (but common in formal writing) shows up disproportionately here.
Because TOPIK listening audio can’t be replayed on test day, the single most useful habit practice tests build is getting comfortable extracting the answer from one listen, not three. Resist replaying listening questions during practice once you’ve built basic comprehension — simulate the no-replay condition as early as possible so your ear adjusts before exam day, not during it.
For TOPIK II specifically, time-box your essay practice separately from your multiple-choice practice. Writing 4 answers in 50 minutes, including two essays, is a different skill from recognizing correct answers in a reading passage — it needs its own timed repetitions, not just general “writing practice.”
Treat wrong answers in reading and listening as vocabulary gaps first, grammar gaps second. Most missed questions in both sections trace back to not knowing a specific word or expression in context, rather than misunderstanding grammar structure — so your post-practice review should prioritize building a running vocabulary list from every test you take.
Registering for TOPIK I when the target school or visa requirement actually specifies a TOPIK II level
Under-practicing the writing section because it feels like a small part of the question count
Studying with slowed-down or repeatable audio right up until test day, then struggling with speed, single-play listening
Running out of time on the reading section’s longer passages because of unfamiliar formal vocabulary, not unfamiliar grammar
Not reviewing official past papers from NIIED, which are the closest available match to actual phrasing and topic style
Complete beginners (targeting TOPIK I): Budget 3–4 months of consistent study if starting from zero — Hangul, basic grammar patterns, and core vocabulary first, then shift to timed practice tests in the final 3–4 weeks.
Candidates with some conversational background (targeting TOPIK II, Levels 3–4): 2–3 months is if you can already hold basic conversations but haven’t formally studied grammar or written Korean. Prioritize the writing section early rather than leaving it for the last two weeks — it takes longer to improve than listening or reading accuracy.
Retaking TOPIK II for a higher level (Level 5–6): Usually a narrower, more targeted gap — often specifically essay structure, formal vocabulary range, or listening speed rather than foundational grammar. 4–6 weeks of focused practice on the specific section that held the previous score back is often enough, rather than a full restart of general study.
The core test structure (section counts, timing, scoring bands) has stayed stable for years, but two things shift from year to year and catch candidates off guard: registration fees, which NIIED adjusts periodically and which differ for PBT versus IBT, and test availability by country, since not every testing round is offered in every location and IBT availability has been expanding faster than PBT in some regions. Always confirm the current schedule, fee, and format availability for your specific country on before registering rather than relying on a previous year’s figures.
Last updated on Oct, 14 2026
